TMerkler
Murfreesboro, TN
MH
Posts:217
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| 06/26/2009 1:59 PM |
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I am wondering if I am doing something wrong with my TYLER. When walking him on a leash, he would pull me down the street sometimes so bad that I HATED walking him. My brother told me about a thing called the "Gentle Leader". This is a type of head harness. It goes over their snout and around their head. Well, I got it and long story short...
I look forward to taking LONG walks with him. The "Gentle Leader" stops the pulling almost out of the gate. Your leash attaches to the ring under their snout, so if they pull it tugs their head down and to the side to which you are walking. He doesn't like it and as a result won't pull.
My brother has Beagles and they were OUT OF CONTROL! My brother weighs approx 200 lbs. and his Beagles were dragging him down the street before he got the "Gentle Leader" and know he loves to walk his dogs. Tyler my GSP is a joy to walk with as long as he has it on.
My question is:
Am I wrong for using this type of head harness? If not this might be something to try if you are having issues with the pulling while on leash. I would appreciate your advice or comments.
Thank you,
Terri |
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Terri (Dude's Mom 4ever)
Dude - GSP (RIP 2005)
Tyler - GSP
Charlie - GSP
Zeus - Pit-ador |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7846
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| 06/26/2009 2:27 PM |
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Terri -
There is nothing wrong with the Gentle Leader especially if it is working for you. There are lots of options out there for helping people with dogs that pull. The only issue I have with the Gentle Leader is it is not teaching the dog to walk nicely on leash. The dog walks nicely because you are using a halter like lead. So, I personally prefer to use a pinch collar while I am training and will fade the pinch collar as soon as the dog starts understanding how to walk nicely on a leash. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
   
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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TMerkler
Murfreesboro, TN
MH
Posts:217
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| 06/26/2009 2:30 PM |
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Here is a link to the information on the "Gentle Leader" Headcollar:
http://www.buygentleleader.com/View.aspx?page=dogs/products/behavior/gentleleader/description |
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Terri (Dude's Mom 4ever)
Dude - GSP (RIP 2005)
Tyler - GSP
Charlie - GSP
Zeus - Pit-ador |
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TMerkler
Murfreesboro, TN
MH
Posts:217
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| 06/26/2009 2:31 PM |
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Bev?
How does the "Pinch Collar" work? Does it hurt the dog? The sound of the name makes me cringe. I don't want to hurt him.  |
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Terri (Dude's Mom 4ever)
Dude - GSP (RIP 2005)
Tyler - GSP
Charlie - GSP
Zeus - Pit-ador |
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2387
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| 06/26/2009 2:33 PM |
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I am not a fan of the gentle leader, or halti, and my trainer does not use them, because from what I understand it physically makes the dog walk without pulling but it does not teach him not to pull. If you put a regular collar on Tyler, does he resort to pulling?
Tessa was a puller. Like with you, there were times when I dreaded the walk, but I just kept working with her and eventually she got it. I used a pinch collar. I just don't believe in leading a dog around like a horse. But I can see how it can be a godsend for some people and dogs, and I don't think it's a mistake to use it, but you may always have to use it if you don't teach him not to pull on a regular collar. |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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TMerkler
Murfreesboro, TN
MH
Posts:217
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| 06/26/2009 2:44 PM |
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Tessa,
You know I really haven't tried to walk him without it since I got it. He is VERY stubborn and headstrong. I am SURE he would continue to drag me down the street. I had scrapped up knees and elbows for a long time because he would drag me down to the ground and keep dragging.
I am NOT in any way a seasoned GSP owner. This is the second GSP we have owned and I am a work in progress. So I am really using this forum to learn to teach my boy how to act. I have learned so much already from all of you, and I thank you for it. I hope you don't mind me asking these silly questions, but how else am I to learn. I am wanting to get into fostering GSP's for the local rescue org.
But I want to make sure I have the right information and technique for working with these beautiful dogs before I take one and do something wrong. |
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Terri (Dude's Mom 4ever)
Dude - GSP (RIP 2005)
Tyler - GSP
Charlie - GSP
Zeus - Pit-ador |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7846
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MegC
Ellensburg, WA
MH
Posts:989
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| 06/26/2009 3:40 PM |
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Jessica- I threw Rogan in harness at 5 months because I thought we were going to kill him otherwise, lol!
It was winter in Cle Elum, he was totally unreliable off leash, and I didn't want him hit by a snowmobile. I rigged up a puppy harness and just took him out on a long line to a skijoring belt on skis w/ Steve and Dulcie ahead of him, the idea to wear off some ants in his pants and encourage him to stay in front but not demand anything more. WELL... HIS idea was to pull like he'd been born for it!
The next day or two a friend came over to visit, and I let naughty little Rogie out to visit. After doing the usual tornado-GSP-pup thing he suddenly disappeared for a quick second, then came roaring back up out of the basement with Dulcie's harness- which he stuffed pointedly into my lap. Friend and I had a good laugh about that when he suddenly took off again only to return up the stairs with HIS harness, stuff it in my lap with a pounce, and back off wild eyed with THAT LOOK.
We still don't think there was anything accidental about it, LOL!!! |
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Megan
+ Dulcie (Lehmschlog's The Right Spot) + Rogan (Lehmschlog's BR Rogan) + Anya (Lehmschlog's Anya O Conchobar)
Intro to harness sport/mushing- start here! |
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2387
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| 06/26/2009 4:53 PM |
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Terri, I commend you for asking questions, please continue to do so, there is no such thing as a silly question! Tessa is my first GSP, I got her Sept 2008 and coming from American Bulldogs (who can also be headstrong pullers but are quite different from a GSP), I had to learn a lot and this forum has been a great help before I got Tessa and after.
Again, there is nothing wrong with using the Gentle Leader, I know how you feel about being dragged down the street, not a good thing, and very frustrating. What I would do is continue to use the gentle leader to help you with the walks but also work with Tyler with the pinch collar every so often and see how he progresses. |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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Central.Wa.GSPs
MH
Posts:314
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| 06/26/2009 4:55 PM |
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| Meg - That is so funny. Hopefully I can help Noella the owner of Charlie figure something out for her because she to jokes about how she could kill Charlie some days. Like for instant the day before we went and visited them Charlie has figured out how to open up their sliding glass doors (now they keep them locked) but Noella was in the kitchen he opened up the door and out the window she saw Charlie HAULING *SS down the back field running for "freedom" and she chased him for three hours to get him back. He needs something that can be his niche! |
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-Jessica-
*Bailey* GSP
*Lily* GSP
* RIP: Maggie Mae* GSP
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Central.Wa.GSPs
MH
Posts:314
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| 06/26/2009 8:05 PM |
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I got summoned for jury duty in District Court in Spokane. So depending all how that schedule works out I could or could not be getting Charlie next week  SOOOO not looking forward to doing jury duty. But hey at least it will be an interesting case and not some boring county court LOL. |
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-Jessica-
*Bailey* GSP
*Lily* GSP
* RIP: Maggie Mae* GSP
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MegC
Ellensburg, WA
MH
Posts:989
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| 06/26/2009 8:32 PM |
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I got summoned once for I think fed jury duty out there... sent them in a very legitimate sob story about being one of only 4 people working for my employer at the time, and they let me off.
Crossing fingers that you don't have to do it and you'll get stuck with Charlie instead. BTW, it occurs to me (OK, OK, after a glass of wine) that his nick should be "Gnarly", lol..... |
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Megan
+ Dulcie (Lehmschlog's The Right Spot) + Rogan (Lehmschlog's BR Rogan) + Anya (Lehmschlog's Anya O Conchobar)
Intro to harness sport/mushing- start here! |
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Central.Wa.GSPs
MH
Posts:314
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| 06/26/2009 8:38 PM |
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Meg I LOVE the nickname! LOL. It is perfect for him ![<img src=]() " border="0" src="/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/blue/emoticons/smile.gif" />. and I have no excuse not to be able to be there at Jury Duty... I work from Friday to Sunday as a weekend Nurse so there is no way to get out of it cause I am able to do it and get back for work. SIGH. Oh well I am hoping that I can still get Gnarly Charlie next week ![<img src=]() " border="0" src="/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/blue/emoticons/smile.gif" /> |
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-Jessica-
*Bailey* GSP
*Lily* GSP
* RIP: Maggie Mae* GSP
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mdunson
CT
Posts:4
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| 06/28/2009 2:22 PM |
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You could try a front-attachment harness. They're very popular with the positive-reinforcement trainers in my area and have worked for me (I have a pup who pulls in a regular flat collar). I use a Sense-ation harness (www.softouchconcepts.com) and it makes a big difference.
Mia |
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Central.Wa.GSPs
MH
Posts:314
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| 06/28/2009 5:22 PM |
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| I get Gnarly Charlie in 17 hours! The count down is on. I will defiantly take some photos and possibly a video to post! |
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-Jessica-
*Bailey* GSP
*Lily* GSP
* RIP: Maggie Mae* GSP
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7846
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| 06/28/2009 5:47 PM |
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Good luck with him. Keep us posted. Can't wait to see picts.
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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MegC
Ellensburg, WA
MH
Posts:989
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| 06/28/2009 9:03 PM |
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Ah, so he hits town tomorrow... this should be fun. |
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Megan
+ Dulcie (Lehmschlog's The Right Spot) + Rogan (Lehmschlog's BR Rogan) + Anya (Lehmschlog's Anya O Conchobar)
Intro to harness sport/mushing- start here! |
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Central.Wa.GSPs
MH
Posts:314
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| 06/28/2009 10:26 PM |
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Meg watch the police blotter we might just be in it. Never know with Charlie  |
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-Jessica-
*Bailey* GSP
*Lily* GSP
* RIP: Maggie Mae* GSP
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carlower1
Kansas
MH
Posts:1253
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| 06/29/2009 9:15 AM |
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I use a combination of the gentle leader and a pinch collar... the gentle leader is for when my kids walk the dog, or if we are in a busy public place, the pinch collar is for when I walk him.
Carrie |
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Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:713
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| 06/29/2009 9:19 AM |
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I started out using the easy walk harness with Leena. Didnt do a thing. I dont really like use choke collars or pinch collars, but the choke collar seems to be the only thing she understands!
I was working with a family that had a 1yo Goldendoodle Service Dog. They had always used the easy walk harness. For the CGC test, you are only allowed to use a flat collar. Even though the easy walk discourages the dog from pulling, I dont think it really teaches the dog not to pull. They had a lot of hard work getting him not to pull on a regular flat collar, (he did pass though! ) |
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Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
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